Apparatus for slicing comestible slabs

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an apparatus for producing equal numbers of slices from uniform cross section slabs, each of which varies in length within a predetermined range comprising means for continuously slicing said slab, means for positioning the leading edge of each slab in alignment with the path of movement of said slicing means, means for displacing said slab predetermined distances beneath said slicing means to define the slice thicknesses, recording means for controlling said displacement means whereby the distances are programmed from known slab lengths, sensing means which measure said slab length within subdivisions of said range, said sensing means and said recording means being operatively associated whereby signals from said sensing means indicate the program for said slab.

United 7 States Patent [72] Inventors CharlesJamesGrant 7l l TorkeTerraoe, Plymouth, Wis. 53073; Paul E. Cheney, 103 Apple Tree Hill,Fltchhurg, Mass. 0 l 420; Kenneth J. lielnlto, 370 Merrlum Ave.,Leomlnster,

Mass. 01453 Appl. No. 825,498 Filed May 19, 1969 Patented Aug. 17, 1971APPARATUS FOR SLICING COMESTIBLE SLABS 3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 146/158, 146/78 R, 146/95,31/22 Int. Cl B26d 1/06, B26d 4/42,B26d 7/0'6 Field of Search 146/ l 58,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,433,278 3/1969 Comstock et al.146/78 Primary Examiner-Willie G. Abercrombie Alt0rneyCharles C. ParsonsABSTRACT: This invention relates to an apparatus for producing equalnumbers of slices from uniform cross section slabs, each of which variesin length within a predetermined range comprising means for continuouslyslicing said slab, means for positioning the leading edge of each slabin alignment with the path of movement of said slicing means, means fordisplacing said slab predetermined distances beneath said slicing meansto define the slice thicknesses, recording means for controlling saiddisplacement means whereby the distances are programmed from known slablengths, sensing means which measure said slab length withinsubdivisions of said range, said sensingmeans and said recording meansbeing operatively associated whereby signals from said sensing meansindicate the program for said slab.

PATENTEDAUBIYIBYI 35995 9 SHEET1UF4 ATTORNEY PATENTEU AUG 1 7 I9?! SHEET2 [1F 4 152k INN/U133 CHARLES J GRANT KENNETH J. BELSlTO PA E. CHENEYPATENTEDAUEIHBYI 3,599, 9

sum 3 0F 4 VICNIU/{S RLE GRANT NET BELSITO BY PAUL E. NEY

AI"I'()I{NI'IY APPARATUS FOR SLICINGCOMESTIBLE SLABS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Heretofore, numerous apparatus have been suggested forcontinuously cutting exact weight and/or random weight portions fromslabs of foodstuff products, such as cheese, meat, and other comestiblesfor packaging. However, the known equipment has been unable to avoidwastage where the original slab was dimensionally nonuniform. Forexample, in the cheese industry, compression of curd into rectangularmolds produces slabs of constant cross section but inconsistentlengthsJThereafter, when the slabs are cut to form smaller pieces ofknown weights for packaging, invariably, pieces are produced from theend cut which are not thick enough to wrap or do not fall within astandard weight range used in marketing. In large-volume production ofcheese cuts, the loss of these high-quality'pieces is costly.

The prior art of high-volume, continuous cutting apparatus is devoid ofequipment to produce predetermined number of cuts frominconsistent-length comestible slabs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the stateddeficiencies of the prior art and has as its primary objective apparatusfor measuring the length of a comestible slab and slicing each to obtainthe same number of cuts, each cut weight falling within a predetermined,marketable range. More particularly, each slab is intermittentlyadvanced beneath a vertically reciprocatingslicer in accordance with apreset program based on its length, the program having been selected bysignals generated from slab-measuring apparatus. Additional apparatus isprovided to continuously supply slabs for measuring and slicing.

Briefly stated, the present invention relates to apparatus for producingan equal number of cuts from uniform cross section slabs each of whichvaries in length within a predetermined range comprising means forcontinuously slicing said slab, means for positioning the leading edgeof each slab in alignment withthe path of movement of said slicingmeans, means for displacing said slab predetermined distances beneathsaid slicing means to define the slice thicknesses, recording means forcontrolling said displacement means whereby the distances are programmedfrom known slab lengths, sensing means which measure said slab lengthwithin subdivisions of said range, said sensing means and said recordingmeans being operatively associated whereby signals from said sensingmeans indicate the program for said slab.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The various features of the apparatusof this invention will become apparent from the following detaileddescription set forth in connection with the accompanying drawings whichrelate to the preferred embodiment of the present invention and is givenby way of illustration.

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross section viewbroken away in part to disclose salient features of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the ratchet and pawl assembly used torotate shaft 123.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view through the disk arrangement on shaft 44.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the overall assembly of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a cross section view taken along the line Vl-Vl of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the preferredembodiment of the present invention best seen in FIG. 1 and 2, ameasuring and slicing apparatus 10 is situated on a first pair ofparallel horizontal braces 11, each provided with a plurality of spaced,vertical braces 12. A second pair of parallel braces 13 is secured tothe vertical braces in the same horizontal plane and are positioned byspacers 14 in the vertical plane of the first pair. Similar horizontalspacers 15 interconnect the braces 11 for stability.

A conventional cylinder 16 in which is telescopingly received piston 17is positioned atop spacers 14, its axis parallel to braces 13. Arectangular flange 18 is secured to the free end of the piston, its facedimensionally equal to or larger than the cross section of each slab ofcomestible 19 to be cut; in this instance, cheese is to be severed,though any other pliable material may be processed. A horizontal brace20 having integral depending legs 21, the spacing of which is equal tothat of braces 13, is rigidly positioned above the latter members in aconventional manner, as by welding. Intermediate the legs 21 are a pairof depending spaced stanchions 22 between which is suspended, on oneend, a plate 23.

The opposite end of plate 23 is secured to spacer 14 so that the platelies in a horizontal plane aligned beneath the path of travel of piston17. Comestible slabs 19 are positioned on the plate and advanced betweenthe stanchions by actuation of cylinder 16. A conventional horn cutter24 may be situated between the stanchions to dimension the slab ineither the horizontal or vertical direction.

Movementof the slab by actuation of the cylinder positions thecomestible on conveyor 25, an endless belt entrained about rollers 26and 27, the latter members being disposed on journaled shafts 28 and 29,respectively. The upper surface of conveyor is horizontally aligned withplate 23.

A motor 30, which may be any conventional electric, pneumatic, orinternal-combustion engine, is mounted on base 31, the upper surface ofwhich is in the same horizontal plane as the uppersurface of horizontalbrace 11. The armature 32 of 'motor is provided with a pulley 33 aboutwhich is entrained belt 34, The latter is likewise entrained about asecond pulley 35 on an armature 36 of clutch 41 to impart torquethereto. Axially aligned shafts 38 and 38' are suitably journaled forrotation adjacent clutch 41 on which are mounted sprockets 39 and 40,respectively (see FIG. 6). Torque is imparted to one or the other of theshafts by actuation of a solenoid in the clutch, the details of whichare set forth hereinafter. Current supplied to the solenoid serves toengage one or the other of the shafts and is controlled by a counterassembly later to be described. p

A drive chain 42 is entrained about the gear'40 and drives the sprocket43 positioned on shaft 44, the latter being jour naled in partitions 45mounted between upstanding braces 12. Also positioned on shaft 44 issprocket 46 about which is entrained the chain 47; the chain in turndrivingly engages the sprocket 48 in cam box 49. The box is supported ona horizontally extending plate 50 interposed between the upstandingbraces 12. As shown in FIG. 4, a cam 149 is positioned on shaft 51 whosefunction will be hereinafter described. The cam is rotate, via chain 47,in timed relation with the rotational movement of shaft 44. v

A second drive chain 52 is entrained about sprocket 39 on the shaft 38'and extends upwardly to the sprocket 53 on shaft 54, the latter beingsuitably journaled in partitions provided between the upstanding braces12. Sprocket 55 is also secured on the shaft and chain 56 drawn aboutthereabout imparts rotation to sprocket 57 on shaft 29 of conveyor 25. Asprocket 58 on shaft 59 is positioned to take up slack in chain 56. Fromthis arrangement. lineal movement of conveyor 25 is effected byengagement of shaft 38 by clutch 41.

The shaft 44 is provided with disk 60 having annular notch 61 providedon one face thereof in concentric relation to the shaft. An arm 62 issecured on shaft 63, the latter being journaled in the partitions 45between the upstanding braces. A roller 64, moveable relative to thearm, is mounted on the free end thereof and is received in the annularnotch. Also provided on the shaft 63 is a pair of cranks 65, only one ofwhich is illustrated in FIG. 2; both cranks, however, are pivotallyconnected at their free ends via pin 66 to upwardly extending arms 67.The explanation given herein describes but one of the arms 67 thoughit-should be understood to apply to the structure and operation of botharms.

The vertically extending arms 67 are each provided with an Ireciprocated vertically. The blocks are mounted in vertical guides 70which define the path of movement of wire 69. The

movement of slicer 69 is controlled by the rotational speed of disk 60which rocks crank 62 to impart movement to arms 67.

A second shaft 71, parallel to shaft 63, is fixedly secured in thepartitions 45; An arm 72 is rotatably positioned on the fixed shaftintermediate its ends and is pivotally connected via pivot pin 73to link74. The link extends downwardly and has rotatably positioned on its freeend roller 75, the latter received in concentric annular notch 76 ofdisk 77 also secured at its central axis to the shaft 44. A verticallydisposed arm 78 is pivotally connected at one end by pin 79 to arm 72and at the opposite end to crank 80. The crank 80 is rigidly secured to,shaft 82', the latter journaled in stub brace 83 secured at right anglesto the vertically projecting brace 12. A link 84 is secured to therotatable shaft 82 and pivotally connected to arm 85 by the pivot-pin86. Arm 85 -is rigidly secured to horizontal rotatable shaft 87, thelatter secured in position by braces 88 rigidly secured to the verticalguides 70.

Intermediate the spaced braces 88 and rigidly secured to rotatable shaft87 is a hollow, arcuate arm 89 which includes a flange 90 on its freeend. The flange is provided with centrally disposed apertures 91 whichcommunicate with the hollow interior of arcuate arm 89 and a conduit 92also communicable with the interior of arm 89 is connected to avacuumpump (not shown) whereby a vacuum is continuously applied to the face ofthe flange 90. Portions of the slab sliced by the wire 69 may be pickedup by the vacuum imposed through the apertures.

As the arm 72 is rotated counterclockwise about shaft 71, the arm,78imparts a clockwise motion to crank 84 which inturn transmitscounterclockwise movement to the shaft 87 to rotate arcuate arm 89. Thissequence moves the comestible slice secured to the flange 90 in acounterclockwise direction to overlie conveyor 93 (shown in phantomlines in FIG. 2). Release in the vacuum will cause the slice to' drop bygravity onto the conveyor where it is transferred to another station forweighing and thereafter, packaging. Rotation of shaft 87 to effectremoval of the slice onto the conveyor 93 is in timed relation to themovement of the slicer 69 since both arms 78 and 67 are driven by thecommon shaft 44. It should be appreciated that other suitable removalmeans might be positioned on arm 89 to effect transfer of the comestibleslices onto the removal conveyor 93.

The opposite face of disk 77 is provided with a concentric annular notch94 which receives therein the roller 95 on crank arm 96. The crank 96 isrotatable about shaft 71 to impart rotational movement to the arm 97pivotally connected thereto by pin 98. The arm 97 is pivotallyconnnected to link 99 via pivot pin 100; the opposite end of the link isrigidly secured to a walking beam assembly 101 used to advanced thecomestible slabs beneath the slicer 69. The walking beam includes a pairof bars 102 to which the link 99 is secured having longitudinal slots103 along one surface thereof and aligned in facial relation. Aplurality of parallel bars 104 are positioned between the two slots 103and interconnected by transverse, parallel shafts 105 having rollers 106on each end received in the slots 103. A plurality of fixed bars 107 arepositioned between bars 104 whose upper surfaces are aligned in the samehorizontal plane as the upper surface of the conveyor 25. When arm 96elevates the link 99 upwardly by rotation of the wheel 77, thebars 104are elevated above the surface 107 to lift the slab above the surface ofthe bars 107.

A shaft 109parallel to shafts 63 and 71 is journaled in the partitionwalls 45 for rotation; an arm 110 is rigidly secured to the shaft andpivotally connected to the piston 11 1 of the conventional air cylinder1 12. The opposite end of the cylinder is pivotally secured by a pin 113to one of the upstanding braces 12. A spring 114 is disposed within theupper portion of the cylinder to bias the piston to the retractedposition and gas is supplied on the lower, opposite face of the pistonto extend same. The gas supply is controlled by a solenoid-controlledair valve disclosed in detail hereinafter which receives signals from acam within the cam box 49 at periodic intervals to rotate the arm in atimed sequence with vertical movement of the walking beam 101.

A second arm 115 is fixedly secured to the shaft 109 and secured bypivot pin 116 to one of the bars 104 to impart a horizontal displacementto the walking beam 101 when the shaft is rotated. A metal block 117,secured to one of the upstanding braces, has a threaded stop member 118aligned with the piston 111 which the arm 1 10 contacts to limit thedegree of horizontal movement of the walking beam. A microswitch 118operatively connected to counter is situated on stop 118 and contactedby the arm. A signal is generated which records the number of horizontalmovements of the beam in a manner disclosed hereinafter. 1

After the arm contacts stop 118, it remains there until the cam on shaft51 closes the valve which supplies air to cylinder 112. This eventoccurs after arm 99 has been retracted downwardly by rotation of cam 77to position the slab on the bars 107 beneath the slicer. Thereafter,when gas is no longer supplied to cylinder 112, spring 114 biases thepiston 111 to the retracted position; the gas used to extend the pistonis exhausted through a suitable port in the valve.

The shaft 109 is additionally provided with arm 120 on the free end ofwhich is positioned an adjustable set screw 121. The arm is aligned inthe same vertical plane as program cam 122 secured to rotatable shaft123, the latter journaled in spaced partitions disposed between theupright braces 12. When the spring 114 biases the piston 111 to theretracted position, the amount of angular rotation'of the shaft 109 islimited by the contact of the adjustment pin 12] on the face of cam 122.It should thus be appreciated that the radial dimension of the cam facedefines the reset position of arm 120 on the rotated shaft, and,consequently, the extent of the horizontal movement of the walking beamon the next actuation of the cylinder-112. A detailed discussion willfollow on the cam face configuration since the length of the slices cutfrom the slab by the wire 69 is proportional by the degree of rotationalmovement of the arm 120 when it contacts the cam face.

Consideration is next given to the manner in which the earn 122 ispositioned beneath arm 120 by rotation of shaft 123. Referring to FIG.2, a cylinder 124 is arranged in tandem with cylinders 125 and 126, thelatter two being actuated by independent air-injection systems to bedescribed hereinafter. The

cylinder includes a piston 127 having a rack 128 positioned along thelongitudinal edge thereof which meshes with spur gear 129 secured to theshaft 123. Accordingly, as the piston 126 is extended from the cylinder124, the shaft 123 is rotated in a clockwise direction A second cylinder130 including piston 131 is suitably secured in an upright position onthe opposite side of shaft 123. The piston is pivotally connected to oneend of arm 132 by pin 133 best seen in FIG. 3, and is biased to theextended position by spring 134 within the cylinder. The arm 132 includes a bore intermediate its ends which receivesshaft 123 for relativerotation. The free end of the arm is provided with a pawl 136 mounted injuxtaposed relation for rotation by pin 137. The prong 138 of the pawlengages radial notches 139 of ratchet 140 on shaft 123 so that rotationof arm 132 advances the shaft in a clockwise direction. A spring 141interconnects the pawl with the am 132 to retain the prong 138 in closerelation with the notches 139.

The coordinated operation of cylinder 112, cylinder 130, cylinder 124,clutch 41, and conveyor 25 will not be described in detail. As is bestseen in FIG. 5, a conventional gas reservoir 142 supplies gas to thevarious air-actuated cylinders of the system. A pump 143 insures that aconstant supply of gas under pressure is maintained on conduits 144,145, 146, and 147. Conduit 144 includes a solenoid-controlled air valve148 and links the reservoir with the cylinder 112. In this instance, thevalve is controlled by a microswitch assembly actuated by cam 149 in thecam box 49. As was previously stated, chain 47 drives the shaft 51 in aclockwise direction and in timed relation with shaft 44. Whenprotuberance 150 on cam 149 engages microswitch 151, a signal isgenerated and conveyed in conductor 152 to the amplifier 153.Thereafter, the amplified signal is conveyed by conductor 154 to thesolenoid valve 148 to open same and supply gas to the cylinder 1 12. Aswas previously described, the piston 1 1 1 is moved in timed relationwith arm 99 which elevates walking beam 101, and extension of the pistonimparts horizontal displacement to the walking beam. Upon full extensionof the piston 111, contact is made with microswitch 119 which conveys asignal via conductor 155 to conventional counter 156 to record thenumber of strokes. The number of strokes of piston 111 is equal to thenumber of cuts by slicer 69 since both are driven or actuated byrotation of shaft 44. The counter is of the type disclosed in the patentto Anderson us. Pat No. 2,175,865).

A second protuberance 157 on cam 149, spaced counterclockwise from theprotuberance 150, contacts the microswitch 151 to send a second signalto valve 148 to close same. A conventional port is opened when the valveis closed to permit the escape of exhaust gases from chamber 112 and thepiston 111 is retracted within the cylinder by the bias of spring 1 14.I

The conduit 145 including solenoid-controlled valve 158 links thereservoir 142 to the cylinder 130. A second microswitch 159 positionedadjacent switch 151 is contacted by protuberance 150 subsequent to thelatter switch and conveys a signal via conductor 160 to the amplifier153. The amplified signal is conveyed via conductor 161 to valve 158 toopen same and gas passes into the cylinder 130to retract piston 13].This action rotates the shaft 123 about l5'by.the actuation of theratchet and pawl assembly 136, 140, to reposition the cam beneath pin121 on arm 120. The repositioning occurs when the pin is out of contactwith the cam. The second protuberance 157 engages microswitch 159 andsends a signal to the valve 158 to close same and permit the exhaust ofgas from the cylinder 130. Thereafter, the spring 134 biases the piston131 to the extended position so that the pawl 136 engages anotherperipheral notch in the ratchet.

The conduit 146 includes a solenoid-controlled valve 162 and links thegas reservoir 142 with the cylinder 124. Conductor 163 interconnects thevalve 162 electrically with the counter 156. A preselected number N isset within the counter to indicate the number of cuts by slicer 69 andthe recording apparatus records the number of actuations of themicroswitch 119 which is proportional to the cutting of the slab by theslicer. ,At N-l in the counter, a signal is conveyed via conductor 163to the valve 162 to open same and inject gas to retract the piston 127.Retraction of the piston and the rack 128 in mesh with gear 129 on shaft123 imparts a counterclockwise rotational movement to the cam 122 andpositions an extremely recessed portion of the cam face beneath pin 121.The maximum horizontal displacement will take place and the remainder ofthe slab is carried past the slicer 69 and a new slab is positioned formeasurement (as hereinafter explained) with leading edge aligned withthe vertical plane of movement of the slicer.

The conduit 147, including solenoid-controlled valve 164, links thereservoir 142 with the cylinder 165. The cylinder overlies the walkingbeam and includes piston 166 having a flange 167 secured to the free endthereof. A spring 168 within the cylinder biases the piston to theretracted position. Extension of piston 166 positions the flange 167 inthe path of travel of comestible slabs from the conveyor 25 to establishthe starting point of movement of the slab. The movement culminateswhen-the leading edge is aligned with the plane of movement of slicer69.

A conductor 169 interconnects the solenoid-controlled valve 164 with thecounter 156. At N-l within the counter, a signal is conveyed viaconductor 169 to the valve to open same and permit the injection of gasinto the cylinder to extend the piston 166. This action is concurrentwith movement of a slab onto the beam and defines the starting positionof a second slab as its forwardmost counterpart of being measured forslicing A conductor 170 is connected to the counter 156 and to alight,source 172 comprising a pair of spaced lights 173 is suspended bybraces above the walking beam 101. Disposed beneath the walking beam isa cell assembly 174 comprising two photosensitive cells 175 and 176aligned in the same vertical plane as the spaced lights 173.

A pair of conductors 177 and 178 are operatively connected to cells 175and 176 respectively and extend to solenoid valves 179 and 180. Thevalves are positioned on the supply conduits 181 and 182 respectively,which communicate with a gas supply (not shown) to convey gas tothe'tandem cylinders 125 and 126. When light is sensed by one or theother, or both, of the photosensitive cells, signals are conveyed to thesolenoid-controlled valves to actuate the tandem cylinders and initiateextension of the piston 127 a predetermined linear distance. The rack128 which meshes with'the spur gear 129 rotates shaft 123 in clockwisedirection to select the proper initial starting position on the programcam 122 for a particular slab length. Thereafter, during the slicingopera tion, cylinder 130 rotates the shaft 123 in a clockwise directionand in 15 increments to position a new radial dimension of the cam intocontact with the pin 121 of arm 120, thus establishing the horizontaldisplacement of the beam and consequently, the cheese cut thickness.

The counter 156 is provided with a suitable energy source 183 which maybe direct or alternating current. An additional conductor 184 isoperatively connected to the microswitch 185 disposed beneath thehorizontal portion of the conveyor.

25. A plurality of resilient projections 186 extend from the inner faceof the conveyor and contact the microswitch at spaced intervals toconvey a signal to the counter indicating that a new slab has beenpositioned on the walking beam and against flange 167. A time intervalfor linear movement of projection to'the microswitch is sufficient toallow the cells 175 and 176 to measure the new slab and effect angularmovement of cam 122 to the starting position to slice the newly measuredcomestible.

The counter 156 is connected, via conductor 187, to thesolenoid-controlled clutch 41 which supplies torque from the motor 30 toeither sprocket 39 about which chain 52 is entrained or sprocket 40about which chain 42 is entrained. As best shown in FIG. 6, the shaft 38on which sprocket 39 is disposed is provided with a spur gear 188 and inlike manner, a second spur gear 189 is disposed on shaft 38 in spacedrelation with sprocket 40. The clutch 41 includes an extensible shaft190 which is part of a solenoid (not shown) on which is positioned apair of spaced spur gears 191 and 192 respectively. A signal generatedin counter 156 andconveyed via conductor 187 to clutch 41 extends orretracts the shaft 190 to position either spur gear 191 in mesh withspur gear 188 to impart torque to shaft 38 and consequently chain 52, orspur gear 192 in mesh with gear 189 on shaft 38 to drive the chain 40.When the counter registers N, the solenoid extends shaft 190 to drivechain 52 and thus conveyor 25 to position a new slab on the walkingbeam; when projection 186 on the conveyor contacts microswitch 185, thesolenoid retracts the shaft and drives chain 42 to initiate the slicingoperation.

Referring again to FIG. 5, a conduit 193 is adapted to supply gas underpressure from the reservoir to cylinder 194 in which extensible piston195 is reciprocally positioned; the piston is urged to the retractedposition by spring 196 disposed within the cylinder. When the piston isextended, it engages a stop disposed on the free end of extended piston111 to retain in the extended position. When cam 122 is reset andprojection 186 on conveyor 25 contacts microswitch 185, the counterdeactivates valve 198. Spring 196 then retracts piston 195, piston 111is urged by spring 114 to the retracted position, and pin 121 contactscam 122 for a slicing operation.

OPERATION In operation, the user places a comestible slab 19 on theplate 23 and actuates the cylinder 16 to advance the cheese by extensionof the piston 17 through the horn cutter 24 and onto the conveyor belt25.

Upon completion of the slicing of the slab 19 already on the walkingbeam 101 (when the counter registers N-1 upon the appropriate number ofregisterings on the microswitch 119) the counter 156 directs air to theopenings of valve 162. The piston 127 is retracted within cylinder 124and the cam face is rotated so that its minimal radial dimension isaligned with pin 121 and the horizontal displacement of the walking beamwill carry the remainder of the slab past slicer 69 where arm 89 willposition same on conveyor 93. This horizontal displacement positions theleading edge of the next slab in alignment with vertical plane of travelof slicer and at the same time the microswitch is contacted; the counternow registers N.

At this counter registration, the following events transpire; the clutch41 is activated by'the counter via conductor 187 to extend shaft 190 andthus disengage chain 42 and engage chain 52 to drive the conveyor 25, asignal is conveyed via conductor 197 to open valve 198 and extend thepiston 195 to retain piston 111 in the extended position therebymaintaining pin 121 out of contact with cam 122, a signal is conveyedvia conductor 169 to cylinder 165 to position flange 167 in the path oftravel of the next slab from conveyor 25 onto walking beam 101', asignal is conveyed via conductor 170 to the spaced lights 173 to measurethe slab aligned with the slicer and thereby actuate tandem cylinders125,126, to position the cam 122 initially.

When projection 186 on the conveyor 25 engages a microswitch 185, thecounter conveys a signal via conductor 197 to close valve 198 andretract piston 195. At the same time, the shaft 190 of thesolenoid-controlled clutch 41 is retracted to reengage chain drive 42.Signals are conveyed via conductors 169 and 170 to retract piston 166and deactivate lights 173 respectively. The counter is reset to zero anda new slicing sequence begins; the number of strokes of piston 111 andconsequently the number of slice movements of slicer 69 are againrecorded by the counter.

The radial dimensions of cam 122 are established so that the cumulationof horizontal displacements of the walking beam 101 will advanceone'slab leading edge from alignment with flange 167 to alignment withthe vertical plane of movement of slicer 69 during N number of cuts seton counter 156.

.The measurement of each slab while in alignment with the slicer 69 bythe photosensitive cell 174 positions the cam 122 so that a selectedseries of radial dimensions register with pin 121 on arm 120 during therotation of shaft 123 by ratchet and paw] assembly during slicing.However, in each slicing sequence, regardless of slab length when thecounter registers N-l, the cylinder 124 retracts piston 127 to positionthe cam at its-minimum radial dimension so that the remaining portion ofthe slab on the walking beam is carried past the slicer and positionedon conveyor 93. This same action aligns the leading edge of the nextslabwith the slicer whereupon measuring of same takes place when clutch 41engages drive chain 52. In each instance, the portion carried past theslicer is dimensionally within the weight range of the sliced portionsalready conveyed by the conveyor 93.

It should be appreciated that the translation of radial dimensions on anangularly rotated cam into horizontal displacement of the walking beamas utilized in the present embodiment could be accomplished by othermeans, as for example the use of a Selsyn motor assembly wherein signalsreceived at the transmitter could be conveyed to the receiver to controlthe degree of the horizontal displacement. The input signals would beslab-measuring mechanism utilizing photosensitive cells as disclosedwith the preferred embodiment.

It should be appreciated that in order to cut equal weight slices, acircular disk may be employed in lieu of the cam 122: the radius of thedisk would determine the slice thickness.

However, this use of the machine would not maximize the yield of slicesfrom the slab.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus for producing an equal number of slices from uniform crosssection slabs, each of which varies in length within a predeterminedrange comprising means for continuously slicing said slab; means forpositioning the leading edge of each slab in alignment with the path ofmovement of said slicing means; means for displacing said slabpredetermined distances beneath said slicing means to define the slicethicknesses; recording means for controlling saiddisplacement meanswhereby the distances are programmed from known slab lengths; andsensing means which measure said slab length within subdivisions of saidrange; said displacement means including a walking beam, means forelevating said walking beam to lift said slab from a base on which it isdisposed, and means for advancing under the control of said recordingmeans said walking beam beneath said slicing means; said sensing meansand said recording means being operatively associated whereby signalsfrom said sensing means indicate the program for said slab.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said measuring means comprisesa plurality of spaced lights disposed on one side of said slab andaligned photosensitive cells disposed on the opposite sides whereby thespacing between said lights defines said subdivisions, said cells beingoperatively connected with said recording means to convey signalsthereto when light is sensed to select the appropriate subdivisionprogram.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said recording means is a camhaving a radially inconsistent face, said advancing means operativelycontacting said cam after positioning said slab beneath the slicingmeans to determine the extent of the next displacement, means forrepositioning said cam during slab advancement.

1. Apparatus for producing an equal number of slices from uniform crosssection slabs, each of which varies in length within a predeterminedrange comprising means for continuously slicing said slab; means forpositioning the leading edge of each slab in alignment with the path ofmovement of said slicing means; means for displacing said slabpredetermined distances beneath said slicing means to define the slicethicknesses; recording means for controlling said displacement meanswhereby the distances are programmed from known slab lengths; andsensing means which measure said slab length within subdivisions of saidrange; said displacement means including a walking beam, means forelevating said walking beam to lift said slab from a base on which it isdisposed, and means for advancing under the control of said recordingmeans said walking beam beneath said slicing means; said sensing meansand said recording means being operatively associated whereby signalsfrom said sensing means indicate the program for said slab.
 2. ApparatusaccOrding to claim 1 wherein said measuring means comprises a pluralityof spaced lights disposed on one side of said slab and alignedphotosensitive cells disposed on the opposite sides whereby the spacingbetween said lights defines said subdivisions, said cells beingoperatively connected with said recording means to convey signalsthereto when light is sensed to select the appropriate subdivisionprogram.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said recording meansis a cam having a radially inconsistent face, said advancing meansoperatively contacting said cam after positioning said slab beneath theslicing means to determine the extent of the next displacement, meansfor repositioning said cam during slab advancement.